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While the usual rate for satellite Internet service varies, most providers charge anywhere from $50 to $80 per month. Many satellite Internet providers charge set-up, shipping, and equipment leasing fees in addition to the standard monthly charge. Factors such as your high-speed satellite provider and your eligibility for the Rural Broadband Initiative program can affect your particular rate.

Whether or not you think rural satellite Internet is expensive, it’s important to understand why it costs what it costs. After you learn about the benefits of satellite Internet service and the equipment needed for it, it may look relatively inexpensive.

Get additional information on high speed Internet service.

The technology required for rural satellite Internet

Geostationary satellite – Of all the components needed for rural satellite Internet service, the geostationary satellite is the most expensive, resting in orbit 22,000 miles above the equator. Microwaves have to travel to and from this satellite in order for you to access the web.

Communication center – Data is sent to and received by a satellite dish at your satellite Internet provider’s location. Imagine satellite communications like a triangle. It must pass three locations: the satellite Internet provider, the orbiting satellite, and the individual’s satellite.

Two way satellite minidish – Your satellite minidish may be small, but it is a very powerful antenna. Due to its immense power, you should not get near the dish once it is installed, and safety requires that it should be installed only by a professional installer.

Modem – Your computer is connected to the minidish by the modem. Compared to the other pieces of equipment, the modem is less expensive, but not less important. You can purchase your own or lease a modem from your satellite Internet provider.

Find an explanation of satellite Internet cost.

How can rural satellite Internet benefit me?

Access to the Internet at high speeds is benefit enough, but many rural Internet service providers set you up with more than just a fast connection. Also offered with your monthly charge are:

- Your phone lines will always be available for voice calls; no one will get a busy signal.

- Your Internet service will always be on.

- Most satellite Internet providers offer a free one-year subscription to software that will protect your computer from harmful viruses.

- You’ll usually get your own e-mail address and online storage for documents and pictures.

- Set up a wireless network so more than one person can use an Internet-connected computer at the same time.

Don’t you agree that the benefits of satellite Internet service greatly outweigh the costs?

In order to respond to the current economic crisis in the United States, the Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service has received funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Among the investments that will benefit from these funds is rural access to satellite Internet.

As information about the Internet Recovery Act Program has spread, some questions remain about satellite Internet costs. Below are some frequent questions about the program.

Am I eligible?

Not everyone is eligible to participate in the Internet Recovery Act Program. Only residents who live west of the Mississippi River and in a rural area may qualify. But this varies with your specific location. In order to find out whether you quality for certain, contact a satellite Internet service provider. People who currently have a high-speed satellite Internet connection are not eligible to participate.

Find more info about the Internet Recovery Act Program.

What are the differences between typical service and the service I get under the Internet Recovery Act Program?

There is no difference except for the satellite Internet cost. Monthly fees are lower under the act and subscribers do not have to pay any installation, shipping, or equipment leasing fees.

Are the monthly fees fixed?

The satellite Internet cost will remain the same for as long as you keep the service plan.

Get more information about satellite Internet cost.

Do I have to pay for the satellite Internet equipment?

The satellite Internet provider sends you the equipment (minidish and modem) and leases it to you for free.

Does my rural broadband Internet service require a contract?

You’ll be required to commit to 12 months of satellite service in order to take advantage of the low satellite Internet cost. You also must maintain continuous service, without canceling, in order to keep your rate locked in. If you do cancel, you will not be able to participate again in the Internet Recovery Act Program.

The summer of 2011 saw a U.S. unemployment rate of 9.1%, and the government needed to eliminate billions of dollars from the budget. It is evident that much work remains to be done with improving the economic situation, and a variety of solutions need to be considered. Rural high-speed Internet access can, however, help improve the economy, according to the government.

The Broadband Initiative Program was recently started under auspices of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Programs that promote broadband Internet access, including rural satellite Internet, are the focus of the Initiative, which has a budget of almost $3.5 billion. The satellite Internet program offers low cost satellite Internet service to rural residents in the western half of the United States who currently do not have access to DSL, cable, or other wireline rural high speed Internet access.

Get additional info on the Broadband Initiative Program.

Rural companies can do MORE business with a fast satellite Internet connection

When a business person requires more than just basic Internet download/upload speeds to do their job, a fast satellite Internet package (up to 1.5 Mbps download and 256Kbps upload) could help get the job done efficiently. Business packages for rural businesses interested in satellite Internet differ from those offered to residents; many offer additional bandwidth in peak hours.

When a business relies on slow dial up to do their job it’s difficult to respond to customer inquiries quickly, make purchases/transactions in time, and even download essential work documents. Simply put, businesses in rural areas can be hampered by slow Internet connections, thereby hurting the economy.

An equal learning environment: Rural high speed Internet in schools

The National Center for Education Statistics says that an estimated 100% of public schools use a computer for classroom instruction. Yet many rural schools don’t have high speed Internet at all.

It’s obvious that students in rural schools should have access to the same type of basic instruction that is offered to students in more urban areas. Student research, web-enabled white boards, interactive online programming, etc. are all learning tools that every student should have access to, so they can move on to become driven employees and entrepreneurs and contribute to the economy.

Rural residents are just as much a part of the online economy

Over 50% of Internet users regularly purchase items online, according to Nielsen. The U.S. economy grows whenever people spend money, whether locally or online. Despite, or maybe because of, the recent economic downturn, it makes sense to enable equal access to the ability to participate in the online economy and improve the overall economic situation.

Shopping online is problematic with slow Internet speeds, so it is most cost-effective to offer high-speed satellite Internet to rural residents. Rural access to high-speed satellite Internet creates a stronger economy.

Discover the benefits of rural high speed Internet.

Sources:
http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=46
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
http://th.nielsen.com/site/documents/GlobalOnlineShoppingReportFeb08.pdf

Fast satellite Internet requires that you purchase various pieces of equipment and install specific hardware and software on your computer. When you’re ready to sign up with one of the high speed satellite Internet providers, double check on what equipment/software you need before you buy it; just to be sure. But the following list will help you get started.

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A High-Speed Internet Connection Requires This Equipment

- Minidish – Unlike the giant satellite dishes of decades past, you can now get fast satellite Internet with a small dish of only 28” x 26.” The minidish is essentially an antenna that sends and receives microwaves to and from an orbiting satellite 22,000 miles above the equator.
- You need a device to communicate data between your computer and satellite dish, and that’s the modem. To get that high speed satellite Internet connection you must have that modem, which enables your equipment to communicate.
- Computer or device: Obviously, you need a computer, tablet, or phone with the ability to connect to the web. You can’t get on the web without a computer!
- If you want to connect more than one computer to a single fast satellite Internet connection, then you’ll need a wireless router.

Computer System Requirements for High Speed Satellite Internet Connection

For Apple/Macintosh users, you need at least 300 MHz processing speed (or faster). Apples must run on an operating system of 10.4 or higher. Finally, check your computer to see if you have 128 MB RAM, an Ethernet card, and 100 MB on your hard drive-you’ll need it.

If you work and/or play on a PC, make sure your computer has a processing speed of 300 MHz or more. Make sure your PC runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. One more thing, your Windows-based computer must contain an Ethernet card, 100 MB of hard drive space, and 128 RAM.

Last, but not Least, Check Your Software

Before you get online through your high speed satellite Internet connection, make sure your anti-virus software and web browser are the latest versions. Some high speed Internet providers will set you up with anti-virus software, but make it your responsibility either way.

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With all these requirements met (equipment, hardware, and software), you’re ready to connect to the web.